Joint Fluid Analysis

Joint Fluid Analysis: (CCRMC Lab Protocol)

• Lab slip 2
• Joint fluid for crystals (e.g. urate or calcium phosphate) should be submitted fresh, ASAP in one EDTA tube (lavender).
• Cell count: collect in one EDTA and one red top tube
• Gram stain and Culture: sterile specimen container or red top tube
• Specimen is to be handed directly to lab scientist.
• The fluid will be examined fresh under polarization for any crystals.
• Crystal findings will confirmed by a Pathologist whenever possible.
• Glucose & protein analysis of the joint fluid is not provided because these tests to do add any more information that cell count or gram stain.

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